Police reveal more about Belltown homicide

A man police describe as a drug dealer with a criminal history in several states has been arrested in the murder of Michelle Thornton, a woman found in the closet of her Belltown apartment Jan. 6.

Thornton, 43, was sexually assaulted and strangled Dec. 30.

Seattle police say they matched DNA from the 40-year-old suspect to DNA found on Thornton’s body. The man has a felony criminal history in Utah, and his DNA profile was on file with the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services. Seattlepi.com does not typically name suspect untilhe or she is charged.

Thornton’s longtime friend “said he and Ms. Thornton have both smoked crack cocaine for some time,” and on Christmas Day they were joined by a man the friend knew as “G.”